In the landscape of modern metal, few bands have navigated stylistic evolution as controversially—or as successfully—as Bullet For My Valentine. The Welsh titans, known for the razor-sharp riffs of The Poison and the thrash-infused aggression of Scream Aim Fire , took a sharp left turn in 2018 with their sixth studio album, Gravity .
Key changes in the lineup also shaped the record's identity:
Astell&Kern players are known for a "lush," slightly dark sound signature with a velvet top-end. If you plug the AK320 directly into high-impedance headphones (like Sennheiser HD600s), the sharp, biting "Bullet" guitar tone is smoothed out, revealing the melancholic melody underneath.
Why focus on the AK320 specifically? Because 2018 was the twilight of the dedicated flagship DAP. The AK320 (released in 2016) represents the last generation of players that prioritized neutrality over Bluetooth convenience.
Matt Tuck’s performance on Gravity is perhaps the most polarizing aspect. While his melodic singing voice has always been a strong point, his screamed vocals—once the ferocious counterpoint to his melodies—were largely replaced by a lower, spoken-word style or distorted "fry" screams that blended into the instrumentation. This reduction in high-pitched screaming alienated some older fans but resonated with a newer generation of listeners who preferred the evolving styles of modern metal.
3.5/5 Rating (Synergy with AK320): 5/5